Weft-detecting mechanism



Aug. 10 1926. 1,595,249

E. H. RYN

WEFT DETECTING MECHANISM i Filed May 2. A1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 10,1926. 1,595,249 l E.v H. RYON wEFT DETECTING MEGHANISM Filed May 2, 1921 2 Shi;e'cs-SlxeeI 2 Patented Aug. 10, 1926.

EPPA H. RYON, OF 'WALTI-IAM, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO CROMPTON & KNOWLES LOOM WORKS,.OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHU- SETTS.

Application filed May 2,

This invention relates to weft detecting.

mechanism in an automatic loom, by which substantial exhaustion of weft on an active weft` carrier may be indicated to the filling replenishing mechanism.

It isfthe general object of my present invention to improvethe construction and method of operation of such mechanism, to the end that more reliable and efficient results may be obtained. With this object in view, one feature of my invention relates to the provision of detecting mechanism in which the controlling member' is ynormally inoperative lbut is placed in operative position upon substantial weft exhaustion and remains in such position for an unusually extended period of time.

A further object of myl invention is to provide a I weft detecting mechanism in Y which the yielding movements of all parts are controlled by a single spring. I' have also provided a movable detectin'gmember having multiple detecting portions preferably disposed in a curved surfaceso that any portion of the yarn on the weft carrierV may be readily engaged. The provision of multiple moving detecting portions alternating with multiple fixed detecting portions alsopermits a considerable variation in the verticalposition of the shuttle and weft carrier without interfering with correct indication of weft exhaustion. c y

My invention further relates to arrangements. and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter described and more particu'-V larly pointed out in the appended claims.

A preferred form of my invention is shown in the drawings, in which- Fig.. 1 is a plan view of my improved detecting mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the movable detecting member;`

a F ig. 4 is a corresponding view of the fixed detecting member;

Fig. '5 is an enlarged detail sectional view of the fixed and movable detecting members; I Figs. 6 and 7 are diagrammatic side and plan views showing the position of certain parts after engagement by a full weft carrier;

Figs. 8 and 9 are similar views showing the normal position of these parts, and

Figs. 10 and 11 are similar views showing the position of these parts after engage- WEFT-DETECTING MECHANISM.

1921. Serial No; 465,963.

ment by a substantially exhausted weft car-y rier.

Referring to the drawings, I have shown my improved detecting' mechanism' associated with indicating apparatus of a well known type, more fully disclosed in`V my prior Patent No. 972,722, issued October 11, l1910.

For the purposes of this application 'I cross shaftv mounted in bearings 'inthe' stand 22. AY forked arm 26 is adjustablyV secured to the opposite end of the shaft 25 andis formed -with two projecting portionsA 27 and 23. Y

When the. parts are inl thenormalposition shownin Figs. 8 and 9, the controlling mem ber or rod 2.3 is withdrawn from the slotV 21, permitting the actuatorv20 tol swing idly in the slot without affectingv they indicating mechanism. Upon substantial weft eXhaus tion,` however, they rod 23 ismoved into the path of the actuator 2O andthereby renders the actuator operative to indicate transfer, as explained in the prior patent Valcove referred to.

The'partsxwhich more directly engage the weft carrier comprise a casing 305` mounted on a stud 31 (Fig. 2) fixed in the stand 22,

land angularly adjustableY thereon by means of Aa supporting screw 32 and lock nut 33.A A box-like rectangular slide 34 is'movably mounted in the casing and at its rear end is formed with avplurality of toothed detecting surfaces 35, 36 and37, the. teeth being preferably disposed 'in a convexr curveV as shown in Fig..- 1. The 'fixed detectors 35 and 37 are preferably formed directly from the top and bottom portions of the slide 34, while the intermediate detecting surface 36 is formed as a separate plate 36a positioned between the surfaces and 37 by spacing blocks 38.

A movable detecting member 39 is pivoted on an eccentric screw or stud 40 in the slide 34 and is preferably provided with two sets of weft engaging'teeth 41 and 42, movable between the detecting surfaces 35, 36 and ATENT oFFlcE.

37. The detecting member 39 ,is formed as shown in Fig. 3 to permit the teeth 41 and 42 to pass on each side of the metal plate 36. The sides of the teeth 41 and 42 arethe projections 27 and 28 of the arm 26. A

screw 49 is threaded in a lug 50 depending from the rod 43 and forms an adjustable stop to limit rearward movement of the slide. A spring arm 51 (Fig. l) is rotatably mounted on a fixed stud 52 and 1s pressed against the lever 47 by a spring 53, one end of which engages the arm 51 and the other end of which is secured in an adjustable collar 54. The forward or left hand r end -of the sliding rod 43 is bent or doubled upon itselfto increase the stiffness of the portion which is engaged by the lever 47.

The method of operation of the detecting mechanism is indicated in Figs. 7 to 11 inclusive. The normal position of the parts is shown in Figs. 8 and 9 in which the spring arm 51 presses the rod 43 rearward until the stop screw 49 on the rod 43 engages the front end of the casing 30. The spring arm also acts through the pivot 48 to force the slide 34 rearward, swinging the movable detector 39 against the toothed intermediate plate 36a which acts as a stop to position the detector as shown in Fig. 9. At the same time, the forked arm 26 is moved by the lever 47 to the upright position shown 1n Fig. 8, with the controlling rod 23 withdrawn from the slot 21.

When the detectors are engaged bya weft carrier having a sufficient supply of weft thereon, swinging movement of the movable detector 39 is prevented and the slide is moved directly back as shown in Fig. 7. The lever 47 passes above the portion 28 of the arm 26 and retains the rod 23 in inoperative position.

If, however, the detectors engage a sub# stantially exhausted weft carrier, the teeth of the fixed detecting members 35, 36 or 37 will engage the weft carrier, while the movable detector 39 is free to swing on its pivot, as the teeth thereon are at a slightly less radius than the teeth of the fixed detecting members. The pivot 40 of the detector 39 is moved forward or to the left by the continued forward movement of the lay, while the end 46 of the detector 39 remains in substantially fixed position. The pivot 48 of the lever 47 moves forward with the pivot 40, both being mounted on the slide 34, and

the exception that the arm 26 remains in thei position shown inl Fig. l0. The rod 23 is thus left in the path ofthe actuator until the next forward movement of the lay, when the arm is restored to the original position shown in Fig. 8, by engagement of the fixed detecting portions by the yarn on a well `filled'weft carrier.

The provision of the convexly curved surfaces on the detectors is of importance, as it permits reliable indication regardless of the shape of the mass of weft remaining on the weft carrier. Also the provision ofa plurality of detecting members mounted in parallel horizontal planes permits reliable indication regardless of slight variations in the vertical position of the shuttle.

Having thus described my invention it will be evident that changes and modifications can be made therein by those skilled in the art within the spirit and scope thereof as set forth in the claims, and I do not wish to be `otherwise limited to the details herein disclosed but what I claim is 1. In a loom, a weft detecting mechanism comprising a slide, a plurality of detecting plates fixed to said slide, and a plurality of movable detecting'l elementsk mounted to swing between said plates and alternately disposed with reference thereto. Y,

2. In a loom, a shuttle carryinga bobbin, a weft detecting mechanism comprising a slide movable in a substantially horizontal path toward and from saidshuttle, a detector iixed to said slide and a detector pivoted on said slide, to swing about a'substantially vertical axis perpendicular to said slide, said fixed and movable detectors com` prising flat parallel portions and having concentric yarn engaging detecting edges 4. 1n a loom, a weft detecting mechanism comprising a slide, a plurality of detectingl plates fixed to said slide, and a plurality of movable detecting elements mounted to swing between said plates and alternately disposed with reference thereto, said plates and elements having toothed edges and one of each pair of adjacent toothed surfaces being beveled to avoid shearing action between the parts.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature. Y

EPPA H. RYON. 

